Week 14 Running Backs

1 - Adrian Peterson - MIN @ DET – All Day faces his best match-up this week facing off against the anemic Lions run defense. Look for Peterson to not only extend his rushing yardage lead this week, but to overtake Portis for the total yardage crown this week.

2 - Ladanian Tomlinson - OAK @ SD – Tomlinson against the Raiders defense that has given up over 90 yards to four of the last five running backs they have faced, with Peyton Hills being the only back under that mark. LT looks to put up great numbers rushing and receiving out of the backfield this week.

3 - Matt Forte -JAC @ CHI – Forte put up almost 100 yards against second ranked Vikings defense last week. This week he faces a Jaguars defense that just gave up 130 yards to Steve Slaton and the Texans. Forte even though Forte enters uncharted rookie territory this week, playing in his 13th game in a single season, he will put up top tier numbers again this week.

4 - Chris Johnson - CLE @ TEN – Chris Johnson has become a beast in this, his first season in the NFL, if it was not for the play of Matt Ryan, and the dual threat of Matt Forte, he would be the front runner for Rookie of the Year honors. This week, once again, he faces a bottom tier run defense. Look for huge numbers rushing again this week as he faces off against the Browns and their 26th ranked run defense and their third string quarterbacked offense this week.

5 - Michael Turner - ATL @ NO – Turner has emerged as a top tier runner this year. Against a Saints team allowing over 110 yards per game on the ground. Turner put up almost 100 yards and a score the last time he faced New Orleans. Look for a repeat performance this week.

6 - DeAngelo Williams - TB @ CAR – So how do you pick against a player with over 400 yards and 8 touchdowns in the last four games. You don’t, but remember that three of those four performances were against bottom five run defenses. So this week=2 0against a top ten run defense, look for more realistic numbers from him, but you can’t pick against the hot hand.

7 - Peyton Hillis - KC @ DEN – Before four weeks ago, the most Hillis was known for was clearing the way for a couple of other rookie running backs in the league, McFadden and Felix Jones. Now with all the Broncos running backs on the IR, Hillis has become the running back by default in Denver. He has made the most of his opportunity, putting up almost 300 yards and 4 scores in three games since becoming the starter. Against the chiefs even a player still listed as the Fullback on the Broncos roster becomes, not just a viable option, but a must start against the Chiefs and their 31st ranked run defense.

8 – Steve Slaton – HOU @ GB – Steve Slaton coming off a stellar performance against the Jags looks to build on that against a Packers defense ranked eight slots worse against the run. Especially on the frozen tundra of Lambeau field were the ability to run is paramount. Look for another top performance from Slaton this week.

9 - Steven Jackson - STL @ ARI – Jackson is finally back and healthy. He plays for a really bad team. With Bulger and Holt under performing and Avery still too raw to count on, Jackson is really the only option at playmaker for the Rams. His performance last week against the Dolphins showed how much the Rams rely on him, accounting for 40% of the total offense.

10 - Larry Johnson - KC @ DEN – Two must starts in one game? When they both play for teams with run defenses among the worst in the league, yes. Johnson is not the fantasy beast he once was, but with this match-up, he will put numbers like the LJ of old.